Method and device for sanitizing bottled water dispensers

ABSTRACT

A method of sanitizing a bottled water dispenser may include transporting a portable boiler to a location of a bottled water dispenser. The method also may include generating steam in the portable boiler at the location of the bottled water dispenser, and flowing steam through an outlet of the portable boiler. The method may further include flow coupling the outlet of the portable boiler with an opening of the bottled water dispenser, wherein the opening leads to a fluid flow path of the bottled water dispenser. The method may additionally include flowing steam into the fluid flow path through the opening of the bottled water dispenser, and maintaining steam flow through at least a portion of the fluid flow path for a time period sufficient to sanitize the portion of the fluid flow path. The invention may also include a device for sanitizing a bottled water dispenser with steam.

[0001] This application is a continuation of co-pending PCTInternational Application No. PCT/US01/01980, filed Jan. 22, 2001, and acontinuation-in-part of co-pending PCT International Application No.PCT/NO01/00018, filed Jan. 19, 2001, both of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a method of sanitizing bottledwater dispensers and a device for sanitizing bottled water dispensers.More particularly, the present invention relates to a method ofsanitizing a bottled water dispenser with steam and a device forsanitizing a bottled water dispenser with steam.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] Bottled water dispensers are found in enormous numbers throughoutthe world to provide a safe and healthy source of drinking water. Suchdispensers are commonly found in, for example, workshops, offices,reception rooms, stores, and other public areas, as well as privateresidences. As the public grows more health conscious and increasinglyaware of the benefits of consuming purified drinking water, the numberof bottled water dispensers continues to grow.

[0006] To assure that water obtained from such dispensers is free ofcontamination, it is important to regularly clean and sanitizecomponents of the bottled water dispenser coming into contact with thewater. In particular, over time, a bottled water dispenser can developbacteria, algae, and other impurities inside the fluid passageways ofthe dispenser. Absent regular cleaning and sanitizing of the fluidpassageways, such impurities can end up in the drinking water dispensedfrom the dispenser.

[0007] Conventional bottled water dispensers come in many varieties.Most dispensers are designed to accept plastic containers (e.g., 5gallon bottles) containing spring or purified water that are installedon the dispenser in an inverted orientation. Although the designs ofbottled water dispensers currently on the market widely vary, mostdispensers include certain standard water-contacting components thatrequire regular cleaning and sanitizing. For example, conventionaldispensers generally include a reservoir designed to maintain a supplyof water ready to be dispensed from the reservoir via an outlet conduitincluding a faucet (i.e., dispensing valve). Indeed, some dispensersinclude a reservoir designed to maintain water at multiple temperatures.Such reservoirs often include a cooling element designed to maintainwater at a chilled temperature in a particular section of the reservoir.The reservoir may also include a separate section for maintaining waterat room temperature (i.e., cook temperature). Some dispensers furtherinclude a heating element to provide hot water in a particular sectionof the reservoir. Water dispensers designed to dispense water ofmultiple temperatures generally have a reservoir divided into severalsections and have an outlet conduit including several faucets (i.e.,hot, cold, and/or cook faucets)

[0008] Bottled water dispensers also generally include a receivingcomponent that provides an inlet conduit to enable flow of water from aninterior of the inverted water bottle into the reservoir and to enableflow of air from the reservoir into the interior of the inverted waterbottle. In some dispensers, the receiving component supports at least aportion of the weight of the inverted water bottle, while in otherdispensers the weight of the inverted water bottle is supported by othercomponents, such as a cover plate of the dispenser. In moderndispensers, the receiving component is often equipped with a no-spillsystem designed to provide a substantially contamination-free flow pathfor water from the inverted water bottle to the water reservoir. Suchsystems generally permit a user of the water dispenser to install andremove a filled water bottle without spilling water from the waterbottle. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,413,152 discloses an exemplaryno-spill system, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference.

[0009] The receiving component of many no-spill systems may include afeed probe designed to couple with a special closure on the water bottleto provide a contamination-free flow path from the interior of the waterbottle to the reservoir. The receiving component may also include a sealmember to provide a seal between the receiving component and an interiorof the reservoir. By sealing the receiving component with the interiorof the reservoir, the no-spill system helps to prevent air-bornimpurities from contaminating the water in the reservoir. Such no-spillsystems often also include a separate air conduit that enables outsideair to communicate with the reservoir and the interior of the invertedwater bottle. The air conduit may include a conventional air filter toprevent air-born impurities from entering components of the waterdispenser via the air conduit.

[0010] To maintain a sanitary, contamination-free fluid flow path insidethe bottled water dispenser, all water-contacting components should becleaned and sanitized on a regular basis. As mentioned above, suchwater-contacting components can include at least the inlet conduit, thereservoir, and the outlet conduit including the faucets. The air conduitshould also be regularly cleaned and sanitized when included on theparticular dispenser. Indeed, conventional techniques for cleaning andsanitizing components of bottled water dispensers have proven to be timeconsuming, labor intensive, environmentally unfriendly, and generallyunsatisfactory.

[0011] One conventional technique for cleaning bottled water dispensersis a washing method. In this method, the components requiring cleaningare removed from the dispenser and cleaned in a washing machine approvedfor commercial kitchens. This method has numerous disadvantages. Forexample, the washing method is labor intensive since components of thedispenser have a tendency to become stuck and are often difficult toremove and reinstall. Additionally, in bottled water dispensers with airconduits, it may not be practicable to remove the air conduit from thedispenser to wash it. Moreover, there is a risk of contamination of thecomponents when reinstalling them into the dispenser.

[0012] Another conventional cleaning technique is a chemical method. Inthis method, similar to the washing method, the components requiringcleaning may be removed from the bottled water dispenser. The componentsmay then be cleaned with a bactericidal chemical and rinsed with purewater. Like the washing method, the chemical method is labor intensive,has a risk of contamination of the components during reinstallation, andmay not be satisfactory for dispensers having air conduits. Also, it maybe difficult to know when the bactericidal chemical has been completelyrinsed from the components. The possibility of failing to adequatelyrinse chemicals from the dispenser components is a significant downsideto this method since a primary purpose of the bottled water dispenser isto provide pure and natural water, free of contaminants.

[0013] An additional cleaning method is a swap-out method. In thismethod, the components requiring cleaning are removed and replaced withnew components. This method is labor intensive, environmentallyunfriendly, and costly since the used components are often discarded.Moreover, this method, like the previous two, has a risk ofcontamination of the components during reinstallation.

[0014] Yet another cleaning method is an ozonation method. This methodinvolves flushing the fluid passageways of the dispenser with ozonatedwater. However, this method requires special equipment and sometimes isnot completely effective.

[0015] In light of the foregoing, there is a need in the art for animproved method and device for sanitizing bottled water dispensers.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF A FEW ASPECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0016] In accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied andbroadly described herein, the invention includes a method of sanitizinga bottled water dispenser with steam. The method may includetransporting a portable boiler to a location of a bottled waterdispenser. The method also may include generating steam in the portableboiler at the location of the bottled water dispenser, and flowing steamthrough an outlet of the portable boiler. The method may further includeflow coupling the outlet of the portable boiler with an opening of thebottled water dispenser, wherein the opening leads to a fluid flow pathof the bottled water dispenser. The method may additionally includeflowing steam into the fluid flow path through the opening of thebottled water dispenser, and maintaining steam flow through at least aportion of the fluid flow path for a time period sufficient to sanitizethe portion of the fluid flow path.

[0017] In an aspect, the method may further include transporting theportable boiler to a location of a different bottled water dispenser,and sanitizing at least a portion of a fluid flow path of the differentbottled water dispenser.

[0018] In another aspect, the method may include flow coupling an outletof a portable boiler with a nozzle, flow coupling a reservoir of abottled water dispenser with an adapter configured to removably sealwith an opening of the reservoir, and flow coupling the nozzle with aninlet of the adapter.

[0019] In an additional aspect, the invention includes a device forsanitizing a bottled water dispenser with steam. The device may includea housing and a heating element configured to generate steam in thehousing. For example, the housing and the heating element could be aportion of a portable boiler. If the device includes a housing, thedevice may further include an outlet of said housing configured todispense steam from said housing. The device may also include a nozzleadapted to engage an opening of a bottled water dispenser leading to afluid flow path. The nozzle is optionally designed to flow couple theoutlet of the housing with the opening of the bottled water dispenser tothereby cause a sanitizing steam environment within the fluid flow pathof the bottled water dispenser.

[0020] It is to be understood that both the foregoing generaldescription and the following detailed description are exemplary, andare intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of theinvention and, together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the invention. In the drawings,

[0022]FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a device for sanitizing abottled water dispenser;

[0023]FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of thenozzle and the guard illustrated in FIG. 1;

[0024]FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an alternateembodiment of the nozzle and the guard illustrated in FIG. 1;

[0025]FIG. 4A is a schematic view of the guard shown in FIGS. 2 and 3;

[0026]FIG. 4B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the guard shown inFIG. 4A cut along line A-A;

[0027]FIG. 4C is a schematic view of a first side of the guard shown inFIGS. 4A and 4B;

[0028]FIG. 4D is a schematic view of a second side of the guard shown inFIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C;

[0029]FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of an adapter forcoupling with a bottled water dispenser;

[0030]FIG. 6 is an exemplary illustration of a prior art bottled waterdispenser for use in connection with the invention;

[0031]FIG. 7 is a view of the prior art bottled water dispenser of FIG.6 with the water bottle removed;

[0032]FIG. 8 is a view of a receiving component of the prior art bottledwater dispenser of FIGS. 6 and 7;

[0033]FIG. 9 is a partial-schematic cross-sectional view of a nozzle anda receiving component of the prior art bottled water dispenser shown inFIGS. 6-8;

[0034]FIG. 10 is a view of a second embodiment of an adapter forcoupling with a bottled water dispenser; and

[0035]FIG. 11 is a view of a third embodiment of an adapter for couplingwith a bottled water dispenser.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0036] Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferredembodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers areused in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or likeparts.

[0037] In accordance with the invention, there is provided a device forsanitizing a bottled water dispenser with steam. FIG. 1 shows a view ofa device 100 and a receiving component 40 of a bottled water dispenser.The device 100 may include a boiler 110 for generating steam and a steamtube 120. The boiler 110 may be portable. Alternatively, the boiler 110could be provided at a particular location, and the bottled waterdispenser could be transported to the boiler 110. The portable boiler110 may be, for example, a portion of a portable wallpaper stripper. Theportable boiler 110 may include a housing 130 and a heating elementconfigured to generate steam in the housing 130. The heating element maybe, for example, a 2,300 Watt electrical heating element provided in thehousing 130. The steam generated by the portable boiler 110 may be about100° C., although the actual temperature of the steam may vary dependingon the local atmospheric pressure. The steam could also be slightlysuperheated (i.e., higher temperature than boiling water).

[0038] The housing 130 may include an outlet 140 configured to couple(directly or indirectly) with the steam tube 120. The housing 130 mayalso includes a fill opening 160 and a closure 162 on the fill opening160 to facilitate filling of the housing 130 with liquid water. In anembodiment, the housing 130 may be filled with up to about 4 liters ormore of liquid water for conversion to steam. Depending on the type ofportable boiler, as well as the amount and temperature of the liquidwater added to the housing 130 of the portable boiler 110, the amount oftime required for the portable boiler 110 to begin producing steam mayvary. For example, the portable boiler 110 may take up to approximately15 minutes to begin producing steam. Alternatively, the portable boiler110 may be capable of generating steam in a matter of seconds. Theportable boiler 110 also may optionally include a pressure relief valve150 to prevent pressure from building up in the housing 130.

[0039] In an embodiment of the device 100 including the steam tube 120,the steam tube 120 has a first end 122 and a second end 124. The firstend 122 may be designed to couple with the outlet 140 of the portableboiler 110. The steam tube 120 may be a flexible hose; however, thesteam tube could also be a rigid or semi-rigid tube. Alternatively, thedevice 100 may not include a steam tube 120 and the outlet 140 of theportable boiler 110 may be configured to flow couple with an opening ofa bottled water dispenser without use of a steam tube.

[0040]FIGS. 6 and 7 are views of an exemplary prior art bottled waterdispenser that could be used in accordance with the invention. One ofordinary skill in the art will appreciate that bottled water dispenserscome in many varieties and the example shown in the drawings anddescribed herein is merely for illustrative purposes.

[0041] The dispenser 10 may include a cabinet 20 and a cover plate 30 onan upper portion of the cabinet 20. The dispenser 10 may also optionallyinclude a receiving component 40 coupled with a reservoir of thedispenser 10. The reservoir may hold a supply of water for dispensing.Alternately, the dispenser 10 may be configured to dispense waterdirectly from a water bottle through a conduit optionally capable ofheating or cooling the water prior to dispensing.

[0042]FIG. 8 shows a view of the receiving component 40 removed from thedispenser 10. The receiving component 40 may include a seal member 92for sealing the receiving component 40 with an interior of the reservoirof the dispenser 10. The receiving component 40 may also include atubular feed probe 50 having openings 52. The receiving component 40also optionally includes an air filter 60 on an end of an air conduit 62enabling air flow between the reservoir and outside of the dispenser 10.

[0043] The dispenser 10 may further include an outlet conduit enablingflow of water from the reservoir. In the embodiment shown, the outletconduit may include a first outlet conduit 70 and a second outletconduit 72. The first outlet conduit 70 may include a first dispensingvalve 74. The first outlet conduit 70, for example, may be coupled witha section of the reservoir configured to provide chilled water. Thesecond outlet conduit 72 may include a second dispensing valve 76. Thesecond outlet conduit 72, for example, may be coupled with a section ofthe reservoir configured to provide one of hot water and roomtemperature water.

[0044]FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a nozzle 200 anda guard 300, similar to the nozzle and the guard illustrated in FIG. 1.The nozzle 200 may be configured to direct steam flowing from the steamtube 120 in at least a portion of a fluid flow path of the bottled waterdispenser 10. In an embodiment, the fluid flow path of the dispenser 10may include at least the reservoir, the feed probe 50, the first andsecond outlet conduits 70, 72, and the air conduit 62. Alternately, thefluid flow path may include various combinations of these components,and/or other components of the bottled water dispenser. The nozzle 200may be optionally adapted to couple with one or more of the feed probe50, the first and second outlet conduits 70, 72, and the outlet end ofthe air conduit 62.

[0045] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the nozzle 200 may include afirst portion 210 and a second portion 220. The first portion 210includes a first end 212 of the nozzle 200, and the second portion 220includes a second end 222 of the nozzle 200. The first portion 210 maybe tapered so that the first portion 210 has a smaller cross-sectionadjacent to the first end 212 of the nozzle 200. The second portion 220may be tapered so that the second portion 220 has a smallercross-section adjacent to the second end 222 of the nozzle 200. Thefirst end 212 of the nozzle 200 may be configured to couple with thesecond end 124 of the steam tube 120. The second end 222 of the nozzle200 may be configured to couple with the receiving component 40 of thedispenser 10.

[0046]FIG. 9 shows a partial-schematic cross-sectional view of thenozzle 200 flow coupled with the feed probe 50 of the receivingcomponent 40. In an embodiment, the second portion 220 of the nozzle 200has an inner wall 226 having a diameter greater than a diameter of anouter wall 54 of the feed probe 50. When the feed probe 50 is placed atleast partially inside the second portion 220 via an opening in thesecond end 222, the inner wall 226 and the outer wall 54 define a gap56. The nozzle 200 may be adapted to direct steam flowing from thenozzle 200 into the gap 56 and into the openings 52 of the feed probe 50to thereby sanitize the outer wall 54 and an interior 58 of the feedprobe 50. In one embodiment, the gap 56 may be about 3 mm so as toassure that the nozzle 200 does not contact the probe 50 and therebycause contamination between the nozzle 200 and the probe 50.

[0047] The nozzle 200 may also be adapted so that steam flowing from thenozzle 200 provides a pressure in the gap 56 sufficient to force steamfrom the gap 56 into the openings 52 of the feed probe 50. The nozzle200 may be sized so that the feed probe 50 fits at least substantiallyinside the second portion 220 of the nozzle 200 and the second end 222of the nozzle 220 is able to contact a bottom surface 82 of acylindrical portion 80 of the receiving component 40.

[0048] In an embodiment, the nozzle 200 may optionally include a sealmember 290 (e.g. O-ring) on the second portion 220 sized to seal againsta wall 84 of the cylindrical portion 80. The device 100 may include anadapter designed to couple with the nozzle 200 for sealing against thewall 84. For example, the adapter could be an annular member includingan O-ring groove machined along a circumference with an O-ring in thegroove. The adapter may be adapted to couple with both the nozzle 200and the wall 84 of the cylindrical portion 80. Alternatively, theadapter and the nozzle 200 may be a single piece of unitaryconstruction.

[0049] In another embodiment, the nozzle 200 may be configured to sealwith a wall 86 of the receiving component 40. For example, referring toFIG. 11, the device 100 may include an adapter 700 sized to couple withthe wall 86 of the receiving component 40. The adapter 700 may includean annular part 702 having an inlet 704 for receiving the nozzle 200.The inlet 704 may include a groove 706 for receiving a seal member thatmay be on the nozzle 200. The annular part 702 may also include a groove708 capable of including a seal member for sealing with the wall 86.Alternatively, the annular part 702 of the adapter 700 may be sized toremovably couple with an interior of a reservoir of a bottled waterdispenser.

[0050] Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4A-4D, the device 100 may alsoinclude a guard 300 configured to protect a hand of an operator of thedevice 100 from contact with high temperature steam flowing from thenozzle 200. The guard 300 may include a receiving portion 310 adapted toreceive the second end 124 of the steam tube 120. The guard may alsoinclude a cylindrical portion 320 having a first end 322 and a secondend 324. The first end 322 may include the receiving portion 310, andthe second end 324 may include an opening. An exterior of thecylindrical portion 320 may advantageously provides a gripping part foran operator of the device 100. The cylindrical portion 320 may betapered from a larger cross-section adjacent to the second end 324 to asmaller cross-section adjacent to the first end 322.

[0051] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the receiving portion 310 mayinclude a tubular member 330 extending through the first end 322 of thecylindrical portion 320. The tubular member 330 has an inlet end 332 andan outlet end 334. The inlet end 332 may be adapted to couple with thesecond end 124 of the steam tube 120. The outlet end 334 may be adaptedto couple with the first end 212 of the nozzle 200. The inlet end 332may include a threaded section 336 adapted to couple with acorresponding threaded section on the second end 124 of the steam tube120.

[0052]FIG. 3 shows an alternate embodiment for coupling the nozzle 200and the guard 300. In this embodiment, the outlet end 334 of the tubularmember 330 may be optionally adapted to couple with the second end 222of the nozzle 200. By coupling the second end 222 of the nozzle 200 withthe second end 124 of the steam tube 120 via the tubular member 330, thedevice 100 may be used to apply steam from the first end 212 of thenozzle 200 to, for example, the cabinet 20 of the dispenser 10. Applyingsteam from the first end 212 of the nozzle 200 may advantageouslyprovide a higher velocity stream than the second end 222. The highervelocity stream may be useful for cleaning, for example, the exterior ofthe dispenser 10.

[0053] The guard 300 may also include a shield member 340 on thecylindrical portion 320. The shield member 340 may extend in a directionsubstantially parallel to a direction of flow of steam from the secondend 124 of the steam tube 120 when the steam tube 120 is coupled withthe tubular member 330 of the guard 300. The shield member 340 mayprovide an operator of the device 100 with additional protection fromthe steam.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 2, the guard 300 may be configured so that anair barrier is formed between an interior 326 of the cylindrical portion320 of the guard 300 and an exterior 240 of the nozzle 200 when theguard 300 and the nozzle 200 are coupled together. The air barrier mayprovide a layer of thermal insulation between the cylindrical portion320 and the nozzle 200 to further protect an operator of the device 100from heat generated by the steam.

[0055] The guard may further include one of more slots 350 and thenozzle may further include one or more tabs 230 to facilitate couplingof the nozzle 200 and the guard 300. The slots 350 and the tabs 230 maybe configured so that the tabs 230 fit into the slots 350 to couple theguard 300 and the nozzle 200. For example, the tabs 230 may lock in theslots 350 when an operator inserts the tabs 230 into the slots 350 andturns the nozzle 200 relative to the guard 300.

[0056]FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of an adapter 400 removably coupledwith a reservoir 500. The reservoir 500 is a schematic representation ofa reservoir of the type commonly provided in bottled water dispensers.The adapter 400 may be used in connection with sanitizing bottled waterdispensers that do not include a no-spill system or other inletcomponents capable of easily coupling with the nozzle 200 to create asteam environment in the fluid flow path of the bottled water dispenser.The adapter 400 may be configured to removably seal with an opening ofthe reservoir 500. (See also, the adapter 700 of FIG. 11 describedsupra.) For example, the adapter 400 may include an annular memberhaving an O-ring groove machined along the circumference. The adapter400 may further include a seal member 420 for sealing with an interiorof the reservoir 500. For example, the seal member 420 may be an O-ringsized to fit in an O-ring groove machined along the circumference of theadapter 400. The adapter 400 may also include an inlet 410 configured tocouple with the second end 222 of the nozzle 200. In an alternateembodiment, the adapter 400 and the nozzle 200 may be a single piece ofunitary construction.

[0057]FIG. 10 is a view of an adapter 600 for removably coupling thenozzle 200 with one of the dispensing valves 74, 76 of the bottled waterdispenser 10. The adapter 600 may include an annular member 602 having afirst portion 604 for receiving the dispensing valves 74, 76 and asecond portion 606 for receiving the nozzle 200. The first portion 604may include a groove 608 capable of including a seal member (e.g.,O-ring). When the groove 602 includes a seal member, the seal member maybe configured to provide a substantially sealed connection between theadapter 600 and the dispensing valves 74, 76. The second portion 606 mayalso include a groove 610 for receiving a seal member that may be on thenozzle 200. Alternatively, the second portion 606 may be configured sothat the nozzle 200 can be press-fit into the second portion 606. In anembodiment, the adapter 600 and the nozzle 200 may be a single piece ofunitary construction.

[0058] In another embodiment, the present invention includes a method ofsanitizing the bottled water dispenser 10 with steam. The method mayinclude transporting the portable boiler 110 to a location of a bottledwater dispenser 10. For example, a distributor of bottled water maytransport the portable boiler 110 to a customer having a bottled waterdispenser requiring sanitizing. Alternatively, the bottled waterdispenser 10 could be transported to a boiler at a particular location.The method may also include generating steam in the portable boiler 110,and flow coupling the outlet 140 of the portable boiler 110 with anopening of the bottled water dispenser 10 leading to a fluid flow pathof the bottled water dispenser. When sanitizing the dispenser 10, theportable boiler 110 could be flow coupled to any one of the feed probe50, the first outlet conduit 70, the second outlet conduit 72, and theair conduit 62. The method may further include flowing steam into thefluid flow path of the dispenser 10 through one of the openings setforth above, and maintaining steam flow through at least a portion ofthe fluid flow path for a time period sufficient to sanitize the portionof the fluid flow path. For example, steam may be flowed through anopening in the reservoir, through the openings 52 of the feed tube 50,through one of the first and second outlet conduits 70, 72, and/orthrough the air conduit 62. Optionally, the steam flow may be maintainedin one or more of the reservoir, the feed tube 50, the first and secondoutlet conduits 70, 72, and/or the air conduit 62 for a time periodsufficient to sanitize therein. In an embodiment, a minimum time periodfor maintaining steam flow is at least twenty seconds. In anotherembodiment, the minimum time period for maintaining steam flow is atleast three minutes.

[0059] In an embodiment, the method may further include transporting theportable boiler 110 from the location of the bottled water dispenser 10to a location of a different bottled water dispenser, for sanitizing thefluid flow path of the different bottled water dispenser.

[0060] In another embodiment, the method may include using the device100 provided with various combinations of the optional features of thedevice 100 described above to sanitize a bottled water dispenser.

[0061] In a further embodiment, the method may include sanitizing abottled water dispenser having a feed probe 50 of known outer diameterusing the portable boiler 110 with the nozzle 200 flow coupled thereto.The nozzle 200 may be adapted so that the inner wall 226 has a diametergreater than a diameter of the outer wall 54 of the feed probe 50 (i.e.,internal diameter of nozzle 200 is greater than external diameter offeed probe 50). The method may include flow coupling the nozzle 200 andthe openings 52 of the feed probe 50 by placing the feed probe 50 atleast partially inside the nozzle 200 so that a gap 56 exists betweenthe outer diameter of the feed probe 50 and an inner diameter of thenozzle 200. The method may further include flowing steam into the gap 56and into the openings 52 of the feed probe 50 to thereby sanitize theexterior and interior of the feed probe 50. In an embodiment, theexterior and interior of the feed probe 50 may be sanitizedsimultaneously. The method may also include flowing steam into the gap56 to increase pressure in the gap 56 so that steam is forced from thegap 56 into the openings 52 of the feed probe 50. The method may furtherinclude flow coupling the nozzle 200 and the feed probe 50 by placingthe nozzle 200 over the feed probe 50 so that the second end 222 of thenozzle 200 contacts the bottom surface 82 of the cylindrical portion 80.

[0062] In an embodiment, the nozzle 200 may be tapered so that an innerdiameter of the nozzle 200 adjacent to the second end 222 of the nozzle200 is only slightly larger than the outside diameter of the probe 50.For example, the nozzle 200 may include a seal member for providing aseal 280 between the outer wall 54 and the inner wall 226 adjacent tothe second end 222 of the nozzle 200. In this embodiment, the nozzle 200may have a larger inner diameter a short distance from the second end222, so that the gap 56 exists between the outer wall 54 and the innerwall 226. Providing the seal member 280 may facilitate a pressureincrease in the gap 56 to force steam into the openings 52 of the feedprobe 50.

[0063] In still another embodiment, the method may include assemblingcertain parts of the device 100. For example, the operator of the device100 may couple the portable boiler 110 with the steam tube 120. Thesteam tube 110 may be coupled with both the guard 300 and the nozzle200. The operator may fill the housing 130 of the portable boiler 110with water. When sanitizing a dispenser configured to provide hot water,the operator may fill the housing 130 with hot water from the dispenserto decrease the amount of time required for the portable boiler 110 tobegin producing steam.

[0064] In an embodiment, the steam may be provided in the fluid flowpath of the dispenser for at least twenty seconds, and may be providedfor three minutes or more. Temperature in the fluid-contactingcomponents may reach a minimum of from about 75° C. to about 100° C. toassure that the components are sanitized (i.e., algae, bacteria, and/orother live contaminants are killed and/or removed).

[0065] In another embodiment, prior to providing steam in the fluid flowpath, the air filter 60 may be removed from the air conduit 62 and atleast one of the dispensing valves 74, 76 may be opened. The dispensingvalves 74, 76 may be maintained in an open position by using a speciallydesigned clip and/or any other suitable device. Removing the air filter60 and opening the dispensing valves 74, 76 may facilitate the flow ofsteam throughout the fluid flow path.

[0066] In still another embodiment, the method may include coupling thenozzle 200 with one of the dispensing valves 74, 76 to provide steam inone of the first and second outlet conduits 70, 72 via an adapter suchas the adapter 600 shown in FIG. 10. When employing this embodiment ofthe method, the dispensing valves 74, 76 may be maintained in the openposition using a suitable clip or other device. Steam provided in theoutlet conduit (e.g., first and second outlet conduits 70, 72) may beallowed to flow into the reservoir, and from the reservoir into the airconduit 62 and the feed probe 50.

[0067] In yet another embodiment, the method may include coupling thenozzle 200 with the outlet end of the air conduit 62. The air filter 60may be removed before coupling the nozzle 200 with the air conduit 62.After coupling the nozzle 200 and the air conduit 62, steam may beprovided in the air conduit 62 and allowed to flow into the reservoir,and from the reservoir into the feed probe 50 and into the first andsecond outlet conduits 74, 76.

[0068] In still another embodiment, the method may include sanitizing abottled water dispenser that does not include a receiving componentincluding a feed probe 50. Referring to FIG. 5, this embodiment of themethod may include flow coupling the outlet 140 of the portable boiler110, flow coupling the reservoir 500 with the adapter 400 to removablyseal the adapter 400 with the reservoir 500, and flow coupling thenozzle 200 with the inlet 410 of the adapter 400. After flowing steamfrom the nozzle 200 into the reservoir 500 via the adapter 400, theadapter 400 may be removed from the reservoir 500. This embodiment ofthe method may alternately include use of the adapter 700 of FIG. 11when the adapter 700 is sized to removably couple with an interior of areservoir of a bottled water dispenser.

[0069] Referring to FIG. 3, in another embodiment, the method mayinclude flow coupling the second end 222 of the nozzle 200 with theoutlet end 334 of the tubular member 330, and applying steam from thefirst end 212 of the nozzle 200 to an exterior of the dispenser 10(e.g., the cabinet 20 and cover plate 30) to clean and sanitize theexterior of the dispenser 10. The exterior of the dispenser 10 may besanitized either before or after sanitizing the components defining thefluid flow path.

[0070] In another embodiment, after transporting the device 100 to thelocation of the bottled water dispenser 10, a water bottle 90 installedon the dispenser 10 may be removed from the dispenser 10 (see FIG. 6).The operator may then drain water from the reservoir, and sanitize thedevice according to one of the embodiments of the method describedabove. The operator may also replace one or more parts on the waterdispenser 10. For example, the operator may replace the air filter 60with a new air filter and/or replace the receiving component 40 with anew receiving component. After the sanitizing is complete, the operatormay reinstalls a water bottle (either same or new) on the dispenser 10.The dispenser 10 may advantageously allow bottled water distributors andothers to conduct dispenser sanitizing on site, without the use or harshchemicals or the need to substantially disassemble the dispenser.

[0071] Although the method provided herein has been described primarilyin connection with a bottled water dispenser, one of ordinary skill inthe art will appreciate that the method may be used in connection with awater dispenser that dispenses water from sources other than a waterbottle. For example, the method may include sanitizing a drinkingfountain and/or a point-of-use water dispenser. Such dispensers may bepermanently plumbed into a water source or may have a reservoir that ismanually filled with water.

[0072] In an additional embodiment, the method may include sanitizing apotable liquid dispenser that dispenses a liquid other than water. Forexample, the potable liquid dispenser may dispense a fruit drink.

[0073] As used herein, the term “couple” means linked together in somerespect. The term “couple” is not intended to require direct physicalcontact between components coupled. The term “flow couple” means placedin flow communication.

[0074] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made to the structure andmethodology of the present invention without departing from the scope orspirit of the invention. In view of the foregoing, it is intended thatthe present invention covers modifications and variations of thisinvention, provided that they fall within the scope of the followingclaims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of sanitizing a bottled water dispenser,the method comprising: transporting a portable boiler to a location of abottled water dispenser; generating steam in the portable boiler at thelocation of the bottled water dispenser; flow coupling an outlet of theportable boiler with an opening of the bottled water dispenser, theopening leading to a fluid flow path of the bottled water dispenser;flowing steam through the outlet of the portable boiler; flowing steaminto the fluid flow path through the opening of the bottled waterdispenser; and maintaining steam flow through at least a portion of thefluid flow path for a time period sufficient to sanitize said portion ofthe fluid flow path.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid flowpath includes a reservoir for containing water, and wherein steam flowis maintained in the reservoir for a time period sufficient to sanitizethe reservoir.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the fluid flow pathfurther includes an inlet conduit configured to enable flow of water andair between the reservoir and an inverted water bottle on the bottledwater dispenser, and wherein steam flow is maintained in the inletconduit for a time period sufficient to sanitize the inlet conduit. 4.The method of claim 3, wherein the fluid flow path further includes anoutlet conduit configured to enable dispensing of water from thereservoir, and wherein steam flow is maintained in the outlet conduitfor a time period sufficient to sanitize the outlet conduit.
 5. Themethod of claim 4, wherein the fluid flow path further includes an airconduit configured to enable flow of air into the reservoir from outsideof the water dispenser, and wherein steam is maintained in the airconduit for a time period sufficient to sanitize the air conduit.
 6. Themethod of claim 3, wherein the inlet conduit includes a feed probehaving at least one opening, and wherein the flow coupling includes flowcoupling the outlet of the portable boiler with the at least one openingof the feed probe so that steam flows into the at least one opening ofthe feed probe.
 7. The method of claim 4, wherein the flow couplingincludes flow coupling the outlet of the portable boiler with the outletconduit so that steam flows into the fluid flow path through an openingin the outlet conduit.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprisingopening a dispensing valve on the outlet conduit, and wherein the flowcoupling includes flow coupling the outlet of the portable boiler withthe dispensing valve so that steam flows into the fluid flow paththrough the dispensing valve.
 9. The method of claim 5, wherein the flowcoupling includes flow coupling the outlet of the portable boiler withthe air conduit so that steam flows into the fluid flow path through anopening in the air conduit.
 10. The method of claim 5, furthercomprising removing an air filter on an end of the air conduit.
 11. Themethod of claim 1, wherein a minimum time for maintaining steam flow isabout three minutes.
 12. The method of claim 2, wherein the flowcoupling includes flow coupling the outlet of the portable boiler with anozzle, flow coupling a reservoir of the bottled water dispenser with anadapter configured to removably seal with an opening of the reservoir,the adapter having an inlet configured to flow couple with the nozzle,and flow coupling the nozzle with the inlet connector of the adapter.13. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprisestransporting the portable boiler from the location of the bottled waterdispenser to a location of a different bottled water dispenser forsanitizing at least a portion of a fluid flow path of said differentbottled water dispenser.
 14. A method of sanitizing a bottled waterdispenser having a feed probe of known outer diameter, the methodcomprising: generating steam in a boiler at a location of the bottledwater dispenser; flowing steam from the boiler through a nozzle havingan internal diameter greater than the known outer diameter of the feedprobe, so that when the nozzle is placed over the feed probe a gapexists between the outer diameter of the feed probe and the innerdiameter of the nozzle opening; flow coupling the nozzle with the feedprobe by placing the feed probe at least partially inside the nozzle;flowing steam into an opening in the feed probe to sanitize at least aninner portion of the feed probe; and flowing steam into the gap betweenthe nozzle and the feed probe to sanitize an exterior portion of thefeed probe while at least the inner portion of the feed probe is beingsanitized.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein said flowing of steaminto the gap increases a pressure in the gap sufficient to force steamfrom the gap into the at least one opening in the feed probe.
 16. Themethod of claim 14, further comprising preventing injury to the hand ofan operator by blocking flow of steam from the gap to a gripping portionby providing a steam guard between the nozzle opening and the grippingportion.
 17. The method of claim 14, wherein the boiler is portable, andwherein the method further comprises transporting the portable boiler tothe location of the bottled water dispenser
 18. A device for steamsanitizing a bottled water dispenser having a feed probe, said feedprobe including at least one opening enabling air and water to flowbetween a reservoir of the bottled water dispenser and an inverted waterbottle on the bottled water dispenser, the device comprising: a nozzlehaving an opening in an end thereof, said opening being sized to fitover an end of the feed probe, said nozzle having an inner wall with adiameter greater than a diameter of an outer wall of the feed probe,said inner and outer walls defining a gap when the feed probe is placedat least partially inside said nozzle; and a guard configured to couplewith the nozzle for shielding a hand of an operator of the device fromsteam flowing from the gap.
 19. The device of claim 18, furthercomprising a portable boiler for generating steam, said portable boilerincluding an outlet configured to be flow coupled with said nozzle, andwherein said nozzle is adapted to substantially simultaneously directsteam flowing from said outlet of said portable boiler into said gap andinto the at least one opening of the feed probe when the feed probe isplaced at least partially inside said nozzle, said device thereby steamsanitizing an exterior and an interior of said feed probe.
 20. Thedevice of claim 19, wherein said nozzle is adapted so that steam flowingfrom said nozzle provides a pressure in the gap sufficient to forcesteam from the gap into the at least one opening in the feed probe whenthe feed probe is placed at least partially inside said nozzle.
 21. Thedevice of claim 18, wherein said guard and said nozzle are configured sothat an air barrier is formed between an interior of said guard and anexterior of said nozzle when said guard and said nozzle are coupledtogether, said air barrier providing a layer of thermal insulationbetween said guard and said nozzle.
 22. A device for sanitizing abottled water dispenser with steam, the device comprising: a housing; aheating element configured to generate steam in said housing; an outletof said housing, said outlet being configured to dispense steam fromsaid housing; and a nozzle adapted to engage an opening of a bottledwater dispenser leading to a fluid flow path, said nozzle being designedto flow couple the outlet of the housing with the opening of the bottledwater dispenser to thereby cause a sanitizing steam environment withinthe fluid flow path of the bottled water dispenser.
 23. The device ofclaim 22, further comprising a steam tube coupling said outlet of saidhousing with said nozzle.
 24. The device of claim 22, further comprisinga guard configured to couple with the nozzle for shielding a hand of anoperator from steam flowing from the nozzle.
 25. The device of claim 24,wherein said guard and said nozzle are configured so that an air barrieris formed between an interior of said guard and an exterior of saidnozzle when said guard and said nozzle are coupled together, said airbarrier providing a layer of thermal insulation between said guard andsaid nozzle.
 26. The device of claim 22, further comprising an adapterconfigured to removably seal with an opening of a reservoir of thebottled water dispenser, said adapter having an inlet configured to flowcouple with the nozzle.
 27. A method of sanitizing a potable liquiddispenser, the method comprising: transporting a portable boiler to alocation of a potable liquid dispenser; generating steam in the portableboiler at the location of the potable liquid dispenser; flow coupling anoutlet of the portable boiler with an opening of the potable liquiddispenser, the opening leading to a fluid flow path of the potableliquid dispenser; flowing steam through the outlet of the portableboiler; flowing steam into the fluid flow path through the opening ofthe potable liquid dispenser; and maintaining steam flow through atleast a portion of the fluid flow path for a time period sufficient tosanitize said portion of the fluid flow path.
 28. The method of claim27, wherein the potable liquid dispenser is a dispenser for dispensingwater, and wherein the transporting includes transporting the portableboiler to the location of the water dispenser.